Athens - Greek Ambassador to India, Dimitrios Ioannou, has warmly welcomed the upcoming visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Athens on August 25, following an invitation from Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

Ioannou highlighted the significance of this visit, underlining that the last visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Greece occurred four decades ago.

Addressing India's presence in the Mediterranean region, the ambassador acknowledged the expanding influence of India in global economics and politics. During an exclusive interview with WION's diplomatic correspondent Sidhant Sibal in Athens, he expressed positive sentiments about India's cooperative engagement in the Eastern Mediterranean region and praised India's principled stance on the Cyprus issue.

The ongoing construction of the Dwarka Expressway, India's maiden elevated road project, was showcased by Minister Nitin Gadkari. Ioannou envisioned Greece as a conduit for enhanced connectivity between India and the European Union, emphasizing Greece's potential as a gateway for India into the EU. He also emphasized the growing trust in the military collaboration between Greece and India.

Regarding India's involvement in the Mediterranean region, Ioannou deemed it a natural progression, given India's expanding global role in economics and politics. He lauded India's cooperation for a peaceful and productive presence in the Eastern Mediterranean. Furthermore, he commended India's unwavering stance on the Cyprus issue, appreciating its ethical and principled approach.

When queried about the Indo-Pacific vision, Ioannou emphasized the shared interest in maintaining open and peaceful maritime routes globally. He aligned Greece's perspective with India's goal of ensuring open and peaceful maritime trade routes, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region, which holds significant importance for international trade.

Ambassador Dimitrios Ioannou's insights underscore the depth and breadth of India-Greece relations, as well as the shared commitment to regional stability and cooperation.